Bill prohibiting open alcohol containers by car's passengers goes to governor

Thursday, 16 March 2000

http://www.azstarnet.com/public/dnews/LD0523.html

PHOENIX (AP) - The House approved a bill yesterday to prohibit passengers in vehicles from possessing open containers of alcoholic beverages.
The 54-3 vote sent the bill (SB 1243) to Gov. Jane Hull. She had urged its passage and will sign it, said Alberto Gutier, director of Hull's office of highway safety.
It already is illegal in Arizona for drivers to have alcoholic drinks but not for passengers.
Law enforcement officers say that makes it easy for drivers to have ready access to alcohol.
The bill is the second piece of legislation passed this session to combat drunken-driving.
The other bill, which Hull has signed, eliminates a defense that allowed drunken-driving defendants to argue that their blood-alcohol levels did not exceed the legal limit until after they were stopped by police.

Second student regent

The House approved a Senate-passed bill to add a second student member to the Arizona Board of Regents.
There already is one voting student regent who serves a one-year term. The bill (SB 1190) would add a second. The students would serve staggered two-year terms. However, each would vote only during the second year of the term.
Supporters say the changes would mean student regents have more experience before they start voting.
The bill returns to the Senate to consider minor changes.

Golf cart tax breaks

A bill approved by the House would scale back tax breaks for upscale golf carts that had been eligible under an alternative-fuels law enacted last year.
Under the bill (SB 1504), purchasers of used ``neighborhood electric vehicles'' would not qualify for tax credits. Also, purchasers of the new vehicles would have to certify that they have not been used on golf courses except for maintenance and would be used so.
The 53-3 House vote sent the bill to the Senate.

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